&#39;&#39;Mini-Sweep&#39;&#39; and its components

ABSTRACT

“The Mini-Sweep” was inspired by the limitations of comparable, larger “sweepers” or “dusters”, and may be used with only one hand. It incorporates a “removable/disposable cleaning pad or cloth” which cleans dust and dirt for flat surfaces. By design, “The Mini-Sweep” can reach into areas with only ¼ inch clearance (with use of ‘The Mini-Lifter’) or from ½ inch and larger clearances by itself. It is lightweight, and maneuverable, and all components can be easily stored on “The Mini-Sweep Storage/Mounting Bracket”.

I am requesting copyright protection (®) for all items, names/titles,procedures, suggested materials, specifications/dimensions, etc., andall information related to this invention, and will designate suchprotection as “® 2003 Kevin K Irish”.

“The Mini-Sweep” and its components are comparable to the non-motorizedfloor “sweepers” available.

“The Mini-Sweep”(FIG. 1-Page 8) is composed of 2 assemblies (“TheMini-Sweep” and “The Mini-Lifter”) and a single additional part (“TheMini-Sweep Storage/Mounting Bracket”). All of the components andassemblies, which make up “The Mini-Sweep”, may be made/manufacturedfrom any known, durable, high impact resistant plastic or resinmanufactured through injection or blow-molding, or other plasticforming/molding manufacturing procedure. A small gauge, low tensionmetallic spring is used for “The Mini-Lifter” only. The basic dimensionsto all components are:

-   -   a) “The Mini-Sweep” (FIG. 1-Page 8) has 3 main components. The        “cleaning head” where a “replaceable cleaning pad” is attached,        is 6 inches in length, 2 inches in width and 1/8 inch thick. It        has 2-1 inch by 3/8 inch, by 1/4 inch blocks for attaching to        handle. There is a 3⅛ inch by ⅛ diameter rod or dowel, also for        attaching to handle. The handle is 18 inches in length, 1 inch        wide and 3/8 inch thick. “The Mini-Sweep” is designed to clean        small or low-clearance areas. Detailed dimensions on drawings.    -   b) “The Mini-Lifter”(FIG. 6-Page 9) has 3 components. The base        is 3 inches long, 1 inch (at highest point), 1/4 inch (at lowest        point) and 3/4 inch wide, with a material thickness of 1/8 inch.        The “lever” mechanism is 3 inches in length (total), 7/8 inch in        height (total), 7/16 inch in width, with a variable thickness        from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch.

The base and lever attach pivotally on a ¾ inch in length by ⅛ diameterrod or dowel. A small gauge, low tension, metallic spring is added tolever to allow lever to return to ‘ready’ condition. This assemblystores in the handle of “The Mini-Sweep”. This device is designed to“lift” specific items for cleaning under, with a minimum clearance of1/4 inch to ½ inch, manually. Detailed dimensions on drawing.

-   -   c) “The Mini-Sweep Mounting Bracket”(FIG. 7-Page 10) is a single        piece, for storage of “The Mini-Sweep”, “The Mini-Lifter” and        “replaceable cleaning pads” container/package, of a specific        size. The basic dimensions are 6½ inches in height, 3¼ inches in        width and 1¼ inch in depth. It has a “hook-type” feature that        allows “The Mini-Sweep” to stored. The Mounting Bracket can be        installed behind doors, cabinet doors or any small space.        Detailed dimensions on drawing.

All components listed above are to be considered when packaged together,as a single entity/unit/item. Only containers/packages of “replaceablecleaning pads” will be considered separate from “The Mini-Sweep” or itscomponents.

Complete manufacturing reports, marketing reports, sales forecasts(projections) and patent attorney recommendation are available toQUALIFIED and AUTHORIZED inquiries ONLY AFTER OFFICIAL UNITED STATESPATENT NUMBER IS APPLIED AND ISSUED.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

“The Mini-Sweep” and its components are “new” and “original” in designand concept to the best of my knowledge. This invention was created forspecific cleaning applications, based upon the limitations andexclusions of other similar or comparable devices. These limitations areassociated with and not excluding non-motorized floor “sweepers” ofvarious names and designs, i.e., too bulky, ineffective, limited usage.“The Mini-Sweep” is a much smaller version, but may be classified thesame, i.e., “cleaning tool” or “device” or any variation thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

“The Mini-Sweep” and its components are to be made of any high-impact,lightweight plastic or resin material, which will provide adequatestrength and durability. The three main components are listed in detail:

-   -   d) “The Mini-Sweep” has 3 main parts. The “cleaning head” where        a “replaceable cleaning pad” is attached, is 6 inches in length,        2 inches in width and 1/8 inch thick. It has 2-1 inch by 3/8        inch, by 1/4 inch blocks for attaching to handle. There is a 3⅛        inch by ⅛ diameter rod or dowel, also for attaching to handle.        The handle is 18 inches in length, 1 inch wide and 3/8 inch        thick. “The Mini-Sweep” is designed to clean small or        low-clearance areas. Detailed dimensions on drawings. (Page 8)    -   e) “The Mini-Lifter” has 3 components. The base is 3 inches        long, 1 inch (at highest point), 1/4 inch (at lowest point) and        3/4 inch wide, with a material thickness of 1/8 inch. The        “lever” mechanism is 3 inches in length (total), 7/8 inch in        height (total), 7/16 inch in width, with a variable thickness        from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch. The base and lever attach pivotally        on a ¾ inch in length by ⅛ diameter rod or dowel. A small gauge,        low tension, metallic spring is added to lever to allow lever to        return to ‘ready’ condition. This assembly stores in the handle        of “The Mini-Sweep”. This device is designed to “lift” specific        items for cleaning under, with a minimum clearance of 1/4 inch        to 1/2 inch, manually. Detailed dimensions on drawing. (Page 9)

f) “The Mini-Sweep Mounting Bracket” is a single piece, for storage of“The Mini-Sweep”, “The Mini-Lifter” and “replaceable cleaning pads”container/package, of a specific size. The basic dimensions are 6½inches in height, 3¼ inches in width and 1¼ inch in depth. It has a“hook-type” feature that allows “The Mini-Sweep” to stored. The MountingBracket can be installed behind doors, cabinet doors or any small space.Detailed dimensions on drawing. (Page 10) Listing and summary ofPhotographs: PAGE TITLE DESCRIPTION Minilifter.minisweep B/W photo ofMini-Sweep components 1) Mini-Sweep 2) Storage/Mounting Bracket 3)Mini-Lifter MINI-SWEEPa027 B/W photograph shown with ‘cleaning pad box’cleaningPADstorage1 Storage information cleaningPADstorage2 Storageinformation cleaningPADstorage3 Storage information minisweepFLAT Shownin ‘storage’ position minisweepOPENtilted Shown in ‘open’ positionstorage BRACKET1 Side view of storage/mounting bracket storage BRACKET2Side view of storage/mounting bracket minisweep.minilifter Side view ofcomplete assembly for storage tv1 Showing cleaning on side ofrefrigerator refrigerator1 Showing cleaning on side of refrigeratorstereo1 Showing cleaning under stereo component minilifter1 Showingmini-lifter in ‘open’ position minilifter2 showing mini-lifter in‘closed’ position

1. “The Mini-Sweep” is an original cleaning device designed to cleanspecific areas with a “low clearance” i.e., under audio/visualcomponents, between televisions and entertainment centers, along sidesand tops of refrigerators, under microwave ovens, computers, etc. “TheMini-Sweep” was inspired by the limitations of comparable, larger“sweepers” or “dusters”, and may be used with only one hand. Itincorporates a “removable/disposable cleaning pad or cloth” which cleansdust and dirt for flat surfaces. By design, “The Mini-Sweep” can reachinto areas with only 1/4 inch clearance (with use of ‘The Mini-Lifter’)or from ½ inch and larger clearances by itself It is lightweight, andmaneuverable, and all components can be easily stored on “The MountingBracket”. It was also designed for ease of manufacture, packaging andsales. I further claim: that the “Mini-Sweep” and its components,suggested material(s), dimensional specifications, usage, design, andname/title, are an original and unique invention of my own concept andcreation. My intentions are for the patent to be applied, and to beall-inclusive of “The Mini-Sweep” and it's components including “TheMini-Lifter” and “The Mini-Sweep Storage/Mounting Bracket”, and packagedand sold to consumer as a “whole” or “complete” product.